Patriots prepare for preseason opener vs. Ravens

(AP Photo/Steven Senne)New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, chats with coach Bill Bilichick, right, during the NFL football team's practice at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Monday, Aug. 4, 2008. Brady sat out Tuesday's practice, but is expected to make at least a token appearance in a Thursday night preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- The New England Patriots play their preseason opener Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium, a game that will begin auditions for the few contested spots on the team's 53-man opening day roster.

"We've had 18 practices so far and they mean a lot, but the games mean a lot, too," coach Bill Belichick said Tuesday before practice. Some players practice better than they play and some players play better than they practice, he said, also noting it's hard to judge quarterbacks on scrimmages and practice drills since they generally avoid contact during training camp.

"Game situations and game conditions are different from practice," he said. "We'll all see how everybody does on Thursday and that'll be where they're getting hit and situations change from play to play."

The Patriots activated Pro Bowl linebacker Mike Vrabel for the first time after from the physically unable to perform list Tuesday, but he is unlikely to see any action Thursday night.

"I think just getting a little bit of work like today, starting to move forward is going to be a big plus for me," Vrabel said.

The 32-year-old veteran attributed his absence from practice to "old age" and just getting some rest after the Pats' long run through the playoffs to February's Super Bowl.

"If Bill's going to out me in there, I'll play, but one practice usually isn't enough for Bill," said Vrabel.

Belichick said he hadn't yet decided how much the starters, including quarterback Tom Brady, will play Thursday night.

"We've told everyone to be ready to go and they will be," he said.

That presumably includes Brady, who sat out Tuesday afternoon's practice but is expected to make at least a token appearance Thursday night.

Belichick said he didn't think the Patriots were making a conscious effort to lighten the load for the reigning NFL MVP. "I don't think it's been that different than it's been the past couple years."

Veteran Matt Cassel, second-year man Matt Gutierrez and rookie Kevin O'Connell are vying to back-up Brady, who has not missed a start since taking over as New England's starting quarterback during the 2001 season.

It's also undecided whether the Patriots' newest addition, free agent offensive lineman John Welbourn, will play Thursday night. Welbourn, 31, started every game at right guard for the Kansas City Chiefs last season and previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I'm not sure whether he'll be ready to go Thursday," said Belichick, who said that Wellbourn is a tough guy and very athletic and able to play both guard spots. "We'll put him in the mix and he'll be ready to go next week."

Belichick confirmed the Patriots have decided not to use the option of communicating with defensive players on the field via a helmet receiver for the Baltimore game, as allowed under a new NFL rule.